Signal system.



C. H. & G. E. JOHNSON.

SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 6. 1915.

Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET! @Q /M- MK wiinesses C. H. & G. E. JOHNSON.

SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 6 1915.

Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

witnesses:-

COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH CO..WASHINGTON. D. c.

C. H. & G. E. JOHNSON.

SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 6. 1915.

1,163,346. Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

lnvenzors I 02mm H.

Q W E, by YCdrrES QM n45 Attorney.

COLUMBIA PLANUGRAI' CQ .WASHING'1ON. u. c

, UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. JOHNSON, OF BOYLSTON, AND GEORGE E. JOHNSON, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

SIGNAL SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

Application filed April 6, 1915. Serial No. 19,548.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, CHARLES H. JOHN- SON and Greece E. JonNsoN, citizens of the United States, residing, respectively, at Boylston and 'Worcester, both in the county of WVorcester and State of Massachusetts,

have invented'a new and useful Signal System, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a call or annunciator system for use in sounding or displaying calls at one or a number of stations,

giving fire or other emergency alarms, or conveying information of other kinds.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide a simplified mechanism for this purpose which involves only a single mechanism at a central station, and call bells,

lights, annunciators, or the like at the st..-

tions where the signals are to be given; to provide a construction in which, with an exceedingly compact arrangement, a large number of difllerent signals can be given; to

' provide a construction in which the chance of inadvertently giving a prior signal over again or making a mistake in the signal to be given is substantially eliminated, by pro viding means whereby the signahgiving mechanism is always released and restored to normal condition upon the manipulation of the device for the purpose of settingit for giving another signal; to provide an improved key board mechanism for this purpose; to provide an improved selector connected therewith and controlled thereby; to provide means, preferably constituting a part of the selector itself, for preventing arcing at the different contact points and concentrating all the arcing at a single pair of contacts; and to provide an improved contact-making device for making or breaking the main circuit, this being controlled by a controlling circuit.

The invention also involves improvements in details of construction of the various parts as will appear.

. Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a controlling key' board constructed in accordance 'with our invention, parts being shown in section on different planes back of the front thereof; Fig. 2 1s a sectional viewon the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; F ig. 3 is a front elevation of the selector ring showing its conne tions with the clock Work in section on a plane parallel with the front of the selector ring; Fig. l is a diametrical sectional View of the selector ring on the line of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the main contact-making device showing the insulating plate supporting the key board in section; and Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical connections.

The invention is shown in a form comprising a key board A, and a selector B, adapted to be controlled by the key board and itself controlling connections in a controlling circuit a a, so that a contact-making device C will operate simultaneously with it, thus controlling an external high-tension circuit 0 which operates the signal or alarm devices, shown in this case as bells E and lamps D. A double-pole switch F is shown for connecting and disconnecting the external circuit. When this switch is closed so that the device is ready to operate, a red lamp G is lighted, and whenever the contact is made at C, a white light H is lighted. The external circuit is shown as in the form of a three wire circuit and need not be described in detail.

The key board is shown as mounted on an insulating plate 10 and comprises a metallic frame-work 11 supporting a front plate 12 and the other elements of the key board. This front plate is provided with two series of push buttons 1, 9.. 3, 4i. 5, 6, 7 8 9 and 1 2 3 i 5 6 7 8", 0 Itwill. be understood, of course. that although we have shown two series of these push buttons, the invention is not limited to any particular number of series. Both series of push buttons are alike, and the one shown in Fig. 2 will be described. In this case each push button is provided with a shank 14 on which the button itself is mounted and which is adapted to move transversely to the front plate 12 upon the pressing of the button. On the end of this shank is a fiber or other insulating tip 15. These tips rest on movable contact members, in the form of springs 16. Each of these springs is fixed to a cross-bar 17 and is insulated therefrom by a fiber disk or the like 18, and each spring at the point at which it is fixed to this bar is provided with a fastening bolt having a head 19 constituting a sta- Qtionary contact permanently connected with the spring by the bolt, but insulated from the cross bar 17. It will be noticed that these springs so arranged that each one normally contacts with the bolt head of the next spring below and that when one of thepush buttons is pushed down, that spring is pressed away from contacting bolt head.

stitute branch. ircuits, each on connected with. a terminal l selector B.

Although we have ClcFiCl'lbQd only one set of connections, it will he und the other column corresponding connectionsv are present.

The push buttons 1, are=connected by branch wires 1 2, etc to etc., on the selector. 0nd column, and in this i i so ,namelv. a

a series of springs ut of contact with the sn one of the push buttons of is de 'essed, the s -ings on which. it rests will not onlv break its s this seccontact with the bolt head 19, but it makes contact with one of.

substantially thesame time.v

the so ings at r no purpose of this will be, described in connection. with the wiring diagram.

it is to be noted that each of the shanks 14 is provided with a conical member 23. Furthermore, there are reciprocable plates 524-. one for each series o push but tons, and each havingperforr ions therethrough for receivingthese conicallembers. In the form shown in the drawings, the key board is in upright position and consequently tiese detent plates are capable of dropp ig by grarity,,being guided by the end posts 11. Under norhe framewm-k mal. conditions, they are free to !drop, and when any one'of the pushbutons is pushed in, for example the baton 43 in Fig. 2, as soon the shoulder on the conical memben passes beyond the rear surface of, the plate 24-, the latter is free to the shoulder. thus positively l'ioldingthat push button in its depressedposition; but if at any time another buttonis pressed, it releases the one held depressed because it pushes back the detent plate and then allows it to drop again, but only after the first push button has sprung'back. From this it will seen that there is no danger of any confusion or of setting two buttons of the same series at the same time, and that ifthe operator forgets to release the PIGVF' ously pressed push buttons. or if for anvreason the mechanism does notreleasethem,

These bolts and their erminal s- 1 2,

detent.

drop. and pass oven "of the ring. The connections of these contacts withthe push button springs have been described already. This small selector ring is mounted in stationary position on the bottom of a clock work K and the central shaft 26 of the clock work projects through into-the center of the selector ring. On this shaft is a disk 27 which rotates with it and ont-his disk. is a pin or stuc carrying a .510 pivoted arm 29. Fixedly mounted on the disk is a clcat or the like 30, havinga spring 33 for forcing the contact arm against the inner surface of the ring 25. Also mounted on this cleat is contact screw 31, and on the arm 29 is-a contact pin 32 spring-pressed toward the contact screw 31. It will be seen, therefore, that the disk 97 rotates,

- the end of the contact arm 29 is normally in'contact with the insulating inner surface of the selector ring and held there by the spring 33. When it engages one of the convex metallic contacts 1 or the like, it 1-rides'up on the same but does not complete an electrical circuit until forced inwardly far enough to make the contact 32 engage the screw 31'; and before the end of the arm 99leaves the convex surface of the contact pin-1 or the like, the contact will be broken at 31 and 32 and in this way all the arcing will take place at-this contact, and it can be made of carbon or other non-oxidizing .material for this purpose. The spring 33, of course, isinsulated from one or both of the menibers 29 and 30. In this case an insulating 'bushing 33 is shown for that purpose. The arm 29 is insulated from the stud 28 and;disk 27 by an insulating bushing aThe clock-work for operating the selector has no special features, so far as the clock -work'1tself 1S concerned, and will not be described in detail, but it is provided with a windingshaft 35 which is turned around in; order to 7 wind up the clock. this -win.dingishaft is acam 36 which,'at the end of a rotation of the winding shaft, engages a spring-pressed lever 37 and presses a con- -;ta,ct-screw 38 thereon into engagement with a contact-point 39 fixed on an insulating block l0 on the clock work. The connection ofgthiswith the rest of the apparatus will be described in connection with the diagram. Mounted on another shaft constituting apart of the clock Work, is an arm l1 which,

at the end of the revolution, is adapted to engaged a-spring-pressed stop pin 42 so as to'bring the clock work to rest always in the same position.

Referring-now moreespecially to thediallli gram, Fig. 6, it will be seen that the controlling clrcuit a a is connected with a battery 45, having two poles 46 and 46 The pole 46 is connected directly with two electro-magnets 47 and 48 in series by wire I) in parallel with the wires a a. The armatures 49 and 50 of these electro-magnets are connected with the detent plates 24 which have been'described. Also, in series with these magnets is a wire connected with the contact spring 39. The metallic clock work frame is connected by a binding post 51 through the back of the plate 10 with a wire a which is connected directly with the other pole 46 of the battery. This latter wire, therefore, is directly connected with the cen tral shaft 27 of the clock work and selector so that the latter can be connected by means ofthe arm 29 and the contact points on the interior of'the selector with the push buttons on the key board. These push button contacts of the two series are connected in multiple with each other and both in series with the wire awhich extends to an electromagnet 53 and'from there back to the battery pole 46. It may be mentioned here that this electro-magnet is provided with an armature '54 on a pivoted arm 55, which is provided with a pivoted carbon contact member 56 pressed by a spring 57 toward its other contact member 58 and thus capable of a sliding contact. A spring 59 normally keeps these contacts apart and a stop screw 60 limits the distance apart of the contact points. The object of this mechanism is to complete the outside circuit, as indicated on the diagram, and to provide a rubbing contact which will be capable of arcing without injuring the surfaces of the contact points, one of them being carbon and the other copper, preferably.

The operation of the device will now be described.

Assuming that it is desired to ring the number 34, the buttons 3 and 4 are depressed, both of the detent plates 24 then drop so as to hold these two buttons in depressed condition. The depression of the button 3" depresses the corresponding spring 16 and breaks the contact of the third spring 16 with the fourth bolt head 19. Consequently, the circuit is broken at all points beyond the third push button. But

the battery 45 is still in condition to be connected with the three contact points 1 2 and 3 the other contact points in that series being dead. Likewise, the depression of the button 4 cuts out all the contact points 5, 6, etc., so that they cannot be connected with the apparatus while the button is down. The depression of this latter button also connects the springs 16 which are left in circuit with the plate 21, and thus brings the connection back to the battery. Now if the clock is wound up by turning of Fig. 1 and then immediately commences to turn back with the main shaft. This main shaft. is designed in the present case to make three revolutions before the stop arm comes into position to stop it. It starts from the normal position shown in Fig. 3 and as the arm 29 passes over points 9 8 7, 6 5 4, these points are dead, but it signals at point 3, 2 and 1 ihen there is a rest till it touches. the contact 1. As it passes over a live contact point of the first series, as 3, it completes the circuit from the battery terminal 46*, through the wire a, clock work, terminals 31, 32, arm 29, contact 3 wire 3, spring 16, wire a, electromagnet 53, back to the battery terminal As previously described, however, it will be understood that it is not the mere contact of the arm 29 with the contact point 3 that completes this circuit, but the contact of the two members31 and 32 and this is where the arcing naturally takes place. The result of this contact is to energize the magnet 53 and thus close the outside circuit at the points 56 and 58. This gives signal 1 on the bells E, lights D, or whatever other signals are employed; it also lights the lamp H. Having sounded or given this alarm, the contact 56-58 is immediately broken by the deenergizing of the magnet 53 when the arm 29 passes far enough over the contact 3 -to separate the contacts 31 and 3:2, and the rotation continues so as to perform the same operation at the contacts 2 and 3 with a short interval between each two of them. As the arm 29 engages the first contact point 1 of the other series on the selector, a circuit is created in a similar way from the terminal 46 to the other terminal 46 of the battery. But in this case the current passes through the wire 1 one of the springs 22 and plate 21. The next three contacts at 2 3 and 4 give the same result, but those beyond being dead, that ends the signal for that revolution. It will. he seen, therefore, that the signal 34 has been sounded or otherwise indicated. According to the gearing of the clock work. these signals may be repeated two, three or more times as may be desired, during one revolution of the main shaft. At the end of that revolution, after the last signal has been finished, the cam 36 comes into contact with the arm 37 and forces it over to connect the contacts 38 and 39. In this way a shunt is created from the terminals 46 through the wire I). electro-magnets 47 and 48, terminals 38 and 39, clock work casing, binding post 51, and wire a, to the other terminal 46 This energizes the two magnets 47 and 48 which act to attract their armatures 49 and 50 to raise the two detent plates 24. This releases the push buttons that have been de- 1 p 'ess d and then the cam 86 passes beyond arm 37 and'breaks the branch circuit 6 hat the magnets are each deenergized and e c etent plates 53 i restored to their normal condition in which they are free to drop and look any push button that is depressed thereafter.

The full operation of the device having been described, attention should be called to the fact that it is not necessary to give a si na in two figur s. if the signal 6, for example, is desired, the push button (3 is depressed. The six signals will be given in the way that has been described, and when the selector arm 29 passes over the second series of the contacts 1, etc, they will all be dead, because there is no connection with the connecting bar 21 on the right-hand series of push buttons. that in order to ring single number, the

corresponding push button in the tens col-' umn of push buttons has to be depressed.

lVe are aware of the fact that it the clock work is started, with everything else in working condition, without push but tons being depressed on the left-hand series, the signal 9 will be given, because no one of the branch circuits is cut out, and all the terminals on that side of the selector are alive or in con the rotation of L- 1e selector arm. On this ac count it is desirable to have the signal 9 indicate a test or the like. Usually the push button a will be depressed, however, for the purpose of giving that signal. However, this is not true ol the right-hand push buttons, because the corresponding contact points are always dead unless one of them is depressed.

it will be seen from consideration of the description given and the drawings connected herewith, that by this extremely iimple and compact arrangement, a calling is provided which is not limited to a small number of calls, as is the case with the devices on the market. lVithout any material complications of the key board or of the selector, ninety different calls are provided by this mechanism, and by the simple addition of a third row of push buttons and the division of the selector into three series instead of two, thus increasing its diameter very little, nine hundred calls can be sound-" ed; also the method of In?! 0 L getting all the sparkat one point is exceedingly simple and requires no mechanism outside the selector very and increases the cost of the device sh 'htly indeed.

although we have illustrated and de scribed only a single embodiment of the invention and shown it applied to a par ticular calling system, we are aware of the tact that many modifications can be made in the construction and arrangement of parts,

and that the invention can be applied with- It is to be noted ion to be connected up by stationary contacts,

contacts,

the combination olt'a plurality of stationary contacts, a plurality of movable contact members, 'each' permanently in electrical connection with one of said stationary contacts and normally in contact with the next one, whereby said contacts are normally connected with each other in series, a plurality of wires one connected with each of said contacts, a mainconnected with the first of saidmovable contacts, and means for moving said movable contact members individually to disconnect them from the contacts which they normally engage.

In a device of the character described, the combination of a plurality of contacts, a plurality of movable contact members, each in electrical'connection with one of said contacts and normally in contact with the next one, vhereby said contacts are normally connected with each other in series,

1 1 .P w 1,. 1 '1 a p ui alley or WlLGS one connected witn each '01"- said contacts, a main connected with the first of said movable contacts, and means for moving any one of said movable contact members out of contact with the next stationary contact whereby all those beyond it will be disconnected from said main.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a plurality of stationary contacts, a plurality oi movable contact members, each permanently in electrical connection with one of said stationary contacts and normallyin contact with the nextone, whereby said contacts are no mally connected with each other in series, a plurality ofw1res one connected with each of said contacts a main connected with the first of said movable contacts, and means for moving said movable contact members individually to disconnect them from the contacts which they normally engage, and means whereby when any of said movable contact members is so disconnected, the disconnection of another one in the same series will restore the first named movable contact member to normal condition.

i. In a device, of the class described, the combinationoi a plurality 3": push buttons, a plurality of movable contact members, one for each push button, a plurality of said movable contact membersnormally engaging the stationary and being adapted to be moved out of engagement with them by the depression of the respective push but-tons, a plurality of branch circuits, one connected with each or said contacts, whereby when a push button is depressed the contact member connected with it will be disconnected from its stationary contact and all the branch circuits in the series beyond will be disconnected from the circuit.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a series of push buttons, a series of springs, one for each push button, a series of contacts, said springs normally acting to hold the push buttons up and to engage said contacts, thereby connecting said contacts in series, a main connected with the first contact, and a plurality of branch circuits, one connected with each of said contacts, whereby when a push button is depressed the spring connected with it will be disconnected from its contact and all the branch circuits beyond it in the series will be disconnected from the main.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a series of push buttons, a series of springs, one for each push button, a series of contacts, said springs normally acting to hold the push buttons up and to engage said contacts, thereby connecting said contacts in series, a main connected with the first contact, a plurality of branch circuits, one connected with each of said contacts, whereby when a push button is depressed the spring connected with it will be disconnected from its contact and all the branch circuits beyond it in the series will be dis connected from the main, a second series of push buttons, springs and contacts like the first named series but having no direct connection with the main, and. a conducting member connected with the main and having means whereby when any one of said springs of the second series is depressed by the depression of the corresponding push button, all the springs in that series before it will be electrically connected with said conducting member and main.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a series of push buttons, a series of springs, one for each push button, a series of contacts, said springs normally acting to hold the push buttons in one position and to connect all of said contacts in series, a plurality of branch circuits, one connected with each of said contacts whereby when a push button is depressed the spring connected with it will be disconnected from its contact and all of the branch circuits in the series beyond it will be disconnected from the circuit, a source of power connected with the first one of said springs,

. the source of power and having means whereby when any one of said springs of the second series is depressed by the depres S1011 of the corresponding push button, all of the springs in that series before it will be electrically connected with said plate, two detent plates, and means whereby each detent plate is adapted to hold any depressed button of one series in depressed position until said detent plate is moved.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination oi a series or push buttons, a series of springs, one for each push button, a series of contacts, said springs normally acting to connect said contacts in series, a plurality of branch circuits, one connected with each of said contacts, whereby when a push button is depressed the spring connected with it will be disconnected from its contact and all of the branch circuits in the series beyond it will be disconnected from the circuit, and a source oi power connected with the first one of said springs, said push buttons having shoulders thereon, a detent plate provided with perforations through which said shoulders are adapted to pass and arranged to normally press against one side of the shoulders, whereby it will lock any push button in depressed position until the plate is moved.

9. In a system of the class described, the combination of a key board having a plurality of keys, each adapted to be depressed, a plurality of springs normally connected with each other in series, a battery, one terminal of which is connected with the first spring, means for moving each spring to disconnect that spring from the next spring beyond it in the series when any key is depressed, a plurality of branch circuits, one connected with each of said springs, a selector having a series of contacts, one connected with each of the branch circuits, a contact arm, means for causing a relative movement between the contact arm and contacts, whereby said contacts will be connected in succession with the contact arm, and means for connecting said contact arm with the other terminal of the battery.

10. In a system of the class described, the combination of a plurality of springs normally connected with each other in series, a battery, one terminal of which is connected with the first spring, of means for moving each spring to disconnect that spring from the next spring beyond it in the series, a plurality of branch circuits, one connected with each of said springs, and a selector having a series of contacts, one connected with each of the branch circuits.

11. In a system of the class described, the combination of a key-board having a plurality of keys, each adapted to be depressed, a series of springs, each key having means for moving a spring so as to disconnect that spring from the springs beyond it in the series when the key is depressed, a source of power, one 'erminal oi which is connected with the lirst spring or the series, a plurality of branch circuits, one connected with each of said springs, a selector having a corresponding series oi contacts, one connected with each or the branch circuits, a contact arm, means for causing a relative movement between the contact arm and selector, whereby said contacts will be connected in succession with the contact arm, a. circuit for connecting said contact arm with the other pole of the source of power, an electro-magnet in said circuit, and an externalcircuit having a pair of contactsadapted to be operated by the action of said electro-magnet.

12. in a calling system or the. like, the combination with a key-board, of a selector, a plurality of branch circuits, the selector having a series oi terminals, each permanently connected with oneot said branch circuits, means for connecting said terminals with a source of power periodically, said key-board being provided witha series-of spring contacts and keys, each spring con.

tact being normally connected, with one of said branch circuits and arranged to dis: connect all the branch circuits beyond when any key 15 depressed.

13. in a device oi the character described the combination of a plurality otpush but-.

tons, a plurality of springs, one, for each push button for holding the push buttons in normal position, a plurality of contactv members adapted to be engagedin series by said springs when in normal position, whereby upon the depression of a push button, one of said springs will be disconnected from its contact member and all the contact members beyond it will be. electrically disconnected from it, a source 01": power connected with the first spring, a clock-work, a selector has-ring a series oi contacts each connected with one of said springs and providedwith an arm operated by said clockwork for passing over said contacts, said arm being connected with the other terminal of said source of power.

1%. ln a device of the character described,

the combination of a plurality of push buttons a aluralit of sorin s one for each 7 I ,L L D 7 push button tor holding the push buttons in normal position, a plurality of contact members adapted to be engaged in series by said springs when in normal position, whereby magnet being. connected with said source of power, and means connected with the clockwork for connecting the other pole of the electro-magnet with said source of power when the clock-work has run a predetermined length of time.

in device of the character described, the combination. of a series of push buttons, a plurality. of springs, one for each push button for holding the push buttons in normal position, a plurality of contact members to be engaged in series by said springs when in normalposition, whereby upon the depression of oush button one of said springs will be disconnected from its contact member and all the contact members beyond it willbe. thrown outiotthe. circuit, a source ct power connected with the first spring, a clock-work,.. a selector having a series of contacts. each connected withone of said springs and provided with .an arm operated by said clock-work for. passing over said contacts, said arm being connected with the otherterminal of said source of power, said selector. arm, beingprovided with, a contact point. in seriesiwith said springs, and means whereby saidvcontactpoint will be caused to complete, thecircuit after the arm hasengagedone ot the contacts of the s lector and to break it before the. arm has been. disengaged therefrom.

16. in a device of the character described, the combination of a. clockwork, a series of contacts, branch circuits connected with said. contacts, an arm operated by said clockwork for passing over said contacts, said arm being connected with the terminal of a so-urceof power and being provided with contact. point, said branch circuits having means by which they are normally connected with the other terminal of said source of electricity, means whereby all of said branch circuits beyond any desired point in theseries can be disconnected from the-source of electricity, and means whereby said contact point will be caused to complete the circuit after the arm has engaged one of said series of contacts and to break it before the arm has been disengaged therefrom.

17. In a selector, the combination of a ring otinsulating material, a series of conducting members having contacting surfaceson a surface of said rin branch circuits connected with said conducting memers, a shaft concentric with said ring connected with a source of electricity and hav ing an arm thereon adapted to engage said contacting surfaces, said branch circuits having means by which they are normally con nected with the other pole of said source of electricity, means whereby all of said branch ircuits beyond any desired point in the series can be disconnected from the source of electricity, and means for causing a relative rotation between the shaft and ring.

18. In a selector, the combination with an insulating member having conducting contact points along one surface thereof insulated from each other by the material of the member, branch circuits connected with said contact points, a contacting arm, means for causing a relative motion between the arm and said insulating member, whereby the arm contacts with said contact points one after the other in succession, said arm being connected with a source of electricity, said branch circuits having means by which they are normally connected with the other pole of said source of electricity, and means whereby all of said branch circuits beyond any desired point in the series can be disconnected from the source of electricity.

19. In a selector, the combination of a ring of insulating material, a series of radial conducting members having contacting surfaces on the surface of said ring, a controlling circuit having branch circuits connected with said conducting members, a shaft concentric with said ring connected with a source of electricity and having an arm thereon adapted to engage said contacting surfaces, means for causing a relative rotation between the shaft and ring, an external circuit having alarm devices there in adapted to be energized when the circuit is closed, and means controlled by the first named circuit for completing the external circuit.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

CHARLES H. JOHNSON. GEORGE E. JOHNSON. Witnesses:

JAMES GREEN, MILDRED HILLMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

